Senior Head of Security Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$301,000
national median salary
$256,000 to $391,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $175,140 for Computer and Information Systems Managers (SOC 11-3021) across the United States, based on 670,570 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$107,550
25th percentile
$138,060
Median
$175,140
75th percentile
$220,730
90th percentile
$297,510
Workers surveyed
670,570
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$171,200
May 2025 release
$175,140
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
Why this differs from the estimate above. The Orbyt estimate of $301,000 is 72% higher than this published figure. That is usually not an error in either number: BLS reports by occupation code, and Computer and Information Systems Managers covers a different population than the Senior Head of Security title as it is typically advertised. Both are shown, unreconciled, so you can judge which one describes the job you mean.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Computer and Information Systems Managers (SOC 11-3021) rather than Senior Head of Securityspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 11-3021Highest Paying
$407,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$313,000
Sacramento, CA
Lowest Paying
$238,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 11-3021. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Senior Head of Security salary in the United States at $301,000 in 2026, within a range of $256,000 to $391,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $407,000, while Sacramento offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Industry vertical creates significant variance.
Senior Head of Security salary by city.
Skills that increase Senior Head of Security pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Senior Head of Securitys based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $42,140 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$42,140 per year
≈ +$39,130 per year
≈ +$36,120 per year
≈ +$33,110 per year
≈ +$33,110 per year
≈ +$30,100 per year
≈ +$30,100 per year
≈ +$27,090 per year
What you should know.
Industry vertical creates significant variance. Senior Head of Securitys in financial services and healthcare earn 15% to 25% more than those in general enterprise due to regulatory complexity. Expertise in AI-enabled threat detection and zero trust architecture is increasingly valued as attack surfaces expand.
Senior Head of Securitys earn $235,000 to $391,000. Progression splits into the IC track (staff at $467,000, principal at $527,000) or management (engineering manager at $497,000). Specialization depth and cross-team impact determine which path yields higher compensation.
Equity at top-tier companies adds 30% to 60% above base salary. Annual bonuses of 15% to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $75,000 are common when changing roles. Refresher equity grants vest annually. Relocation packages and executive benefits like financial planning are typical.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Senior Head of Securitys typically earn $271,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you a Senior Head of Security?
Share your real compensation anonymously. Help build the most accurate salary dataset for this role. Your data is never individually exposed.
Common questions about Senior Head of Security pay.
Related tools